John 20

John’s telling of the resurrection is very different from those recorded in the other gospels - because he was an eyewitness. You can tell when someone has first-hand knowledge of an event. The details are sharper, the words painting a vivid picture of what happened in your head as you read.

You can sense the fear in John as he and Peter run to the tomb. They are out in the open, exposed, vulnerable to any soldier who might see them. After all, they expect to be arrested at any moment. They were hiding in a locked room, afraid to even open the door.

You can sense their confusion. Is Mary delusional? Is her mind playing tricks on her? Where in the world is Jesus’ body? Did the Jewish leaders take it so they could put it on public display in the city, confirming that Jesus was just a man? Has the last three years been a lie? What made me think He might be the Messiah, the Promised One?

But then, you can sense the slight glimmer of hope as they approach the tomb. Maybe He really isn’t dead after all. Look, the stone has been rolled away. Could He really be the Son of God? Maybe I really did hear that voice on the Mount of Transfiguration after all.

And then, you peek in and stare the truth in the face. There’s no denying it - the body really is gone! The burial cloths are still here! I can’t explain it, I don’t know how it happened, but now I know – I’ve seen it with my own eyes – He’s Alive!

We wrestle with those same emotions as we find our way to the empty tomb. Won’t people think I’m a fool if I believe a man was raised from the dead? How can I know this is true? But maybe, just maybe, there is something more to life than I’ve been willing to admit. Dare I hope that God could really love me? After all, He knows me, and there’s not much that’s lovable about me. But on the remotest, slimmest, slightest chance He does, can I keep on ignoring Him? I just have to peek!

And then you stare the truth in the face. There’s no denying it - God does indeed love me! His Son really did die for me! He’s Alive – and therefore I, too, am Alive!

BTW, here’s a link to my most favorite Easter song - maybe it will become yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIndrry40Ks



Lee Thrasher
April 4